Today's Opinions

Two things stand out from Gov. Susana Martinez’s visit to Las Vegas last week. One is that she got an up-close look at one of our potential disasters, Peterson Dam, and came away convinced that it needs to be a priority expense. The other is that, when it comes to her estranged relationship with the state Legislature, she’s maintaining an offensive stance.

When it comes to professional sports, high-profile seasons give way to higher-profile playoffs, which lead to championship matchups. And while the backstories — the personal stories that lead to the big showdown — add drama to the mix, in the pros it typically boils down to who wins and who loses.

We, the God-fearing citizens of Las Vegas, N.M., in order to provide for the common good, save our dignity, prevent insanity and civil disobedience, hereby endorse Tom McDonald for pig kisser of our community. He is just such a ham.

We believe that Mr. McDonald (not Ronald) is most deserving of the honor of showing our community that, in many instances, pigs are people, too. We deal with pigs every day (no pun intended, Chief Montaño). No offense, Honey. ...

THUMBS UP! UNDER BUDGET. Good news for Las Vegas and its City Council — Finance Director Pamela Marrujo told councilors last week that the city ended its fiscal year in the black. General fund expenses alone came in about $800,000 under budget, while general fund revenues were $351,000 over budget. That’s the kind of year-end report we like to see.

In June 1926, exactly three years after his celebrated trial for criminal libel, Carl Magee again stood trial in Las Vegas, for killing John Lassetter in the lobby of the Meadows (El Fidel) Hotel 10 months earlier.

The daunting task of hosting the 76th annual conference of the New Mexico Association of Counties was pulled off without a hitch by San Miguel County.

The statewide event, which attracts more than 500 county and state officials and employees from all 33 counties, was held in Las Vegas the week of June 18. Also in attendance were many state officials and employees, and professional service providers and government vendors from throughout New Mexico and surrounding states.